Creative Capacity Development: Learning to Adapt in Development Practice

by Pearson,Jenny

• ISBN13: 9781565493292
• ISBN10: 156549329X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2011-07-15
• Publisher: Lynne Rienner

Summary

The development community seems constantly and restlessly in search of a singular approach that will #xE2;#xAC;Ssolve#xE2;#xAC; poverty, unveiling new buzzwords every few years only to toss them aside. Author Jenny Pearson argues that the fundamental flaw with this system is that each new approach fails to break out of the underlying technocratic and specialized paradigm in development work. As Director of Cambodia#xE2;#xAC;"s leading capacity-building NGO, VBNK, Pearson explains how creative risks and an innovative spirit can revive development work, especially in post-conflict settings. Creative Capacity Developmentprovides an unflinching appraisal of the author#xE2;#xAC;"s own assumptions and setbacks as she established VBNK and explains how a dynamic and open learning process allowed the organization to move beyond them. Pearson#xE2;#xAC;"s account, drawn with insights from cultural studies, mental health practice, and the arts, will guide other practitioners in broadening their own understanding of capacity-building. The book reveals that development work, far from requiring a singular solution, is and should be a never-ending process.

Table of Contents

Illustrations	p. ix
Foreword	p. xi
Preface	p. xv
Acknowledgments	p. xvii
Acronyms	p. xix
Introduction	p. 1
VBNK	p. 2
A Sense of Purpose	p. 5
Overview of the Chapters	p. 6
Culture and Context	p. 9
A Note About Cambodian History	p. 9
On Being a Cambodian Trainer	p. 12
Belief and Behaviors	p. 20
Complex Trauma and Its Implications for Capacity Development	p. 25
Conclusions	p. 44
Serving a Sector	p. 47
International NGOs	p. 48
Cambodian NGOs	p. 53
Royal Government of Cambodia	p. 63
Donors	p. 66
Regional Work	p. 67
Private Sector	p. 70
Keeping Pace With the Sector: An Evolving Mission	p. 71
A Learning Journey	p. 77
First Steps	p. 77
Pivotal Learning	p. 86
Developing a Learning Practice in VBNK	p. 89
Getting Strategic About Staff Development and Learning	p. 96
A Story to Tell	p. 103
Creativity and New Dimensions of Response	p. 107
David Glass	p. 108
Creative Facilitators	p. 110
Early Innovations	p. 112
Creative Innovations for Learning and Change	p. 119
Magic or Monster?	p. 132
Organizational Nuts and Bolts	p. 139
Funding and Fees	p. 139
Growth, Change and Competing Agendas	p. 142
Teamwork	p. 158
Localization	p. 169
Learning From the Long Haul: Some Conclusions	p. 179
The Essential Starting Point for Effective Capacity Development Is Culture, Culture, Culture!	p. 179
The Psychosocial Legacy of Complex Trauma Creates Significant Challenges for Effective Capacity Development	p. 180
Capacity Development Is a Discipline in Its Own Right, and It Is Values Based	p. 180
Learning Is a Skill That Needs to Be Learned and Practiced	p. 181
Individual and Organizational Learning Are Inextricably Linked	p. 182
Creativity Builds Safe Space for Change and Has Proven Benefits	p. 182
Creativity and Learning Support Relevance and Sustainability	p. 183
Some Simple Ideas That Anyone Can Try	p. 183
Appendix: Post Trauma Stress Disorder and Its Relevance in Postconflict Societies	p. 185
References	p. 191
Index	p. 195
About the Author	p. 205
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